Star Wars and Convergence Rule April's Comic Book Sales

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Everyone is hanging out in a galaxy far far away.

By Jesse Schedeen

Diamond Comics released their sales figures for April 2015 today. The Star Wars license continues to do well for Marvel, as Star Wars #4 was the best-selling single issue of the month. Darth Vader #4, Princess Leia #3 and Kanan: The Last Padawan #1 all also ranked among the top ten books. Meanwhile, DC's weekly Convergence series sold well, with all five issues published in April appearing in the top ten.

The top ten best-selling comics for April included:

1) Star Wars #4 (Marvel)

2) Convergence #0 (DC)

3) Convergence #1 (DC)

4) Batman #40 (DC)

5) Darth Vader #4 (Marvel)

6) Convergence #2 (DC)

7) Convergence #3 (DC)

8) Kanan: The Last Padawan #1 (Marvel)

9) Convergence #4 (DC)

10) Princess Leia #3 (Marvel)

As for graphic novel releases, the latest volume of The Walking Dead clinched the #1 spot, followed by Marvel's Avengers: Rage of Ultron and the penultimate volume of Fables.

The top ten best-selling graphic novels in April included:

1) The Walking Dead Vol. 23: Whispers Into Screams TPB (Image)

2) Avengers: Rage of Ultron HC (Marvel)

3) Fables Vol. 21: Happily Ever After TPB (DC)

4) Batman Vol. 5: Zero Year - Dark City TPB (DC)

5) Saga Vol. 4 TPB (Image)

6) Jupiter's Legacy Vol. 1 TPB (Image)

7) Harley Quinn Vol. 1: Hot In the City TPB (DC)

8) Batman Vol. 6: The Graveyard Shift HC (DC)

9) The Walking Dead Vol. 1: Days Gone Bye TPB (Image)

10) Lumberjanes Vol. 1 TPB (Boom!)

Marvel maintained its place as the top-selling publisher with 34.15% dollar share and 36.33% unit share. However, Convergence helped DC gain ground with 30.91% dollar share and 33.90% unit share. Image held steady in third place with 10.23% dollar share and 11.18% unit share.

Overall sales were strong in April. Total comic and graphic novel sales rose significantly compared to March 2015, with an increase of 35.22% in dollars sold and 28.35% in units sold. Overall sales were also significantly higher compared to March 2014 and year-to-date 2014.

Looking ahead to May, expect Marvel to regain some lost ground with the release of Secret Wars #1 and 2 and several significant series finales (Thor #8, Uncanny X-Men #600, etc.) alongside these high-performing Star Wars comics. However, DC still has the second half of Convergence, so it may still be a close race between the two publishers.

As always, it's important to note that these figures only represent sales through Diamond and not retailers like Amazon and Barnes & Noble or digital providers like Comixology.